Poop Changes!
If you’re new to this page, welcome. We talk about a lot of different topics related to the whole body, pelvic health, hormones, and sometimes (actually, pretty often!) we even talk about poop here, because everybody poops!
On todays blog I would like to shed some light on the hormonal connection that leads to poop changes as our hormones shift throughout the menstrual cycle and peri-post menopause. Our hormones influence more than just our menstrual cycle and menopause, such as our mood and cognitive function, blood pressure regulation, and pain sensitivity, just to name a few. One influence that the changing sex hormones have on the body can been seen in a specific change in the menstrual cycle phases: changes in poop!
Estrogen and progesterone, two main sex hormones in females, play a role in the muscle function in the intestines. This influences not only the consistency of poop, but also the speed at which food is moved through the digestive system. Inflammation in the digestive system and symptoms of IBS have also been linked to high levels of estrogen and progesterone. Inflammation and changes in food mobility speed in the digestive system can cause diarrhea/constipation, nausea, stomach pain, bloating, and gas. These uncomfortable changes in the intestines cause strain and stress on the pelvic floor.
The pelvic floor is a collection of muscles located between the tailbone and pubic bone in the pelvis that supports the bowels and bladder. In females it also holds support for the reproductive organs. As the bowels change throughout the menstrual cycle, this can put strain and stress on the pelvic floor. If there is weakness in the pelvic floor muscles, these changes can be hard for the muscles to handle and adapt to.
There are many ways to help support the body even with these changes. One tip that helps both the hormone levels and bowel consistency is to increase dietary fiber! For hormones in the body, fiber, especially lignans found in ground flax, bran, rye, tofu, broccoli, cabbage, and other fiber rich foods can be beneficial. Lignans help to remove excess hormones from the body, allowing for a more natural balance of hormones to cycle. Fiber also helps with feeding the bacteria in the gut, which has a ripple effect on many other areas of the body, such as bowel movements, immune system function, and more! Fiber also needs adequate hydration to help keep the bowels going smooth. Along with drinking water throughout the day, water rich foods, soups, and other liquid type foods help your hydration levels.
In summary, hormones change many things in the body, including the flow of the bowels. Inflammation in the intestines influenced by hormone changes can cause pressure on the pelvic floor, especially if it is already weak. To help support the body with all these changes, increase dietary fiber and water throughout the day!
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